It’s a world first for Life, Laughs & Lemmings today. We have a librarian joining us. But he’s not just any librarian, he’s the World’s Strongest Librarian! Yep, the strongest in the WORLD! I’m not kidding. The WORLD!
Josh is the author of the immensely popular blog, World’s Strongest Librarian. On any given day, you’ll find a post on scandalous confessions, how to have Tourette’s Syndrome, bending steel and lessons learnt from a traveling reptile show.
What I love about Josh is he knows how to live like he means it. Not only that, what you see is what you get. He’s a no BS, take it or leave it kind of guy who’s not afraid to be himself and he’s freakin funny too.
So if you want to “get stronger, get smarter and live better”, head on over to World’s Strongest Librarian and check it out. You won’t be disappointed.
Introducing Josh Hanagarne. Here he is in pictures;
And here he is in words…
1. So, Josh, what exactly does it take to become the World’s Strongest Librarian?
Basically, once you register the domain name, the title is yours. I’m just lucky than nobody else beat me to it. It doesn’t hurt to have a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. It also helps to have an interest in strength training.
2. Your blog has become very successful in a short amount of time. What’s your definition of success and what do you put your success with WSL down to?
People who make money from their blogs would (currently) consider WSL a sublime failure. People who are interested in building traffic and relationships are usually the ones calling my blog a success.
My definition of success is that I’m doing what I want and it’s keeping me creative and engaged. I couldn’t be happier that people are enjoying what I do, but–and this sounds selfish to some people–my main goal is to have fun and not get bored. I write for me first.
3. One of the topics you blog about is living with Tourette’s Syndrome and you’ve tried some unique ways of dealing with it. What is the most unique solution you’ve tried to date and what has TS taught you?
If by unique you mean “terrible” and “a huge painful hassle,” the most unique thing I’ve tried is probably getting botox injections in my vocal cords. I did this every five weeks for three years. At the time, my primary symptom was screaming every 2-3 seconds. It made it impossible to be in public and the abdominal pressure from the screaming eventually led to a hernia. I looked down at the ball bulging out of my stomach that morning and thought: “Are you kidding me? Seriously? That’s my intestine!”
The botox made it so I couldn’t scream. So I went back out in public. But I couldn’t really talk either. The cool part of that story is that I met my wife during the time when I couldn’t speak much. She didn’t hear my full voice until we’d been married for about eight months. It was a wonderful way to get to know someone.
Tourette’s has taught me that everyone should be grateful for the body they have and take care of it. I struggle every day just to sit still and not injure myself. It is hard for me to see people who’s bodies behave, neglecting or destroying them on purpose or through neglect.
4. What are the top 3 things you’d like to do/see/accomplish before you’re pushing up daisies?
One: I want to reach the end and be able to say, without any doubt: “I was a kind, honest person. I did right by my friends and family.”
Two: I want to visit a library in every country in the world. For the countries that don’t have libraries, I hope to see that change. [Sami: Josh, if you want a unique library experience, you should visit our local library as your Australian one - it's on wheels. Our library is a semi-trailer traveling around the local area, bringin' books to the people. 
]
Three:I want to be the keynote speaker at the National Tourette’s Syndrome convention in Washington, D.C.
5. If you could give us your favourite piece of advice for living a kick arse life, what would it be?
I’m going to sneak in two. First, if it’s important to you, do it every day. Second: if you are in a situation you can’t control, introduce something into it that you can control. Those small wins lead to big victories. If you are always trying to get stronger, smarter, and enjoy life more, you’ll be fine.
About the Author: Josh Hanagarne writes World’s Strongest Librarian, a blog with advice about kettlebells, Tourette’s Syndrome, book recommendations, buying pants when you’re 6’8”, old-time strongman training, and much more. Please subscribe to Josh’s RSS Updates to stay in touch.
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Sami, thanks for running the interview. Glad the horrific photo didn’t change your mind.
Hey, superb guest today, Sami!
I am a regular over at WSL, so I completely agree with your take on Josh. He’s definitely a kick-arse type of guy.
Josh has had a huge impact in my life helping me to deal with some of my health challenges, too.
By the way, Josh, I learned a lot about you today! Wow, injections into your vocal chords? Geez! I am so happy to see where you are today in light of all you’ve been through.
Where can I vote for you to be a keynote speaker at the NTS convention?
Cheers to you both!
@Josh
Great to have you here Josh! Horrific photos don’t scare me! Snakes, yes. Photos, no. [edit: besides it's hardly horrific, more "lovely daisy-like" for sure]
@Lori
Thanks Lori. Yep, kick arse is a great description for Josh!
Hi Sami and Josh.
Great librarian to have in the lime light and a wonderful insight in how to deal with what life dishes out to us. BTW where is that horrific photo?
@Lori: I imagine there’s someone you could contact here, if you’re serious: http://www.tsa-usa.org/
I don’t think voting is how it works, but I wouldn’t mind a nice email going to them, especially if it didn’t mention that I knew about it and it seemed spontaneous…but only a great writer could do that…oh, wait! That’s you!
@Wilma: Ah, you warm my heart. Joking about my appearance has become its own tic. I know what a lovely daffodil I am. I should just embrace it.
@Wilma
Hi Wilma. Too true, what horrific photo?
@Josh
On this site you’re a lovely “daisy” as opposed to daffodil.
Great interview, Sami! It was great to learn more about Josh here.
Sami,
Awesome job with the interview! I especially liked the “daisies” question.
Josh,
I think that if you can see, in the end of the day, that you’ve accomplished that first thing on your list of things to do before the daisies, than that right there is a pretty sweet accomplishment – and it’s one I love seeing there!
Lance, thanks. If I can do that first goal, nothing else really matters. Pretty sweet doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Loved the post and the timley reminder that: “…everyone should be grateful for the body they have and take care of it.”
Thank you for providing just a tiny glimpse into your life Josh and showing us how you make the most of life and all its challenges.
Best wishes, K
@Positively Present
Thanks PP!
@Lance
Thanks Lance. Yep the daisy question had to be asked.
@Kirsty
Thanks Kirsty!
Sami, great interview — a real kick-arse one, actually.
Josh, great interview, too — and for me, your answer to question #5 is powerful: “First, if it’s important to you, do it every day. Second: if you are in a situation you can’t control, introduce something into it that you can control.” Yep, I’m taking this advice to HEART. Thanks!
Jeanne, glad you liked it. I’m leery of speaking in absolutes, but those are two things that I believe 100%.
@Jeanne
Haha, thanks Jeanne. Yep, kickin’ some arse (not Josh’s though – I’m not stupid enough to go up against the World’s Strongest Librarian)!
Sami:
Thanks for sharing this interview…I too am a regular reader of WSL but I still learned something new about Josh. Thank you for injecting your humor into the post, I really enjoyed it. I feel like I could be the world’s best unofficial librarian…I say this because I spend a LOT of time at the library, actually many libraries in the Chicago area…and I can now find any book with ease. But I do not have a degree. Oh well, I’m jealous of you down under because the weather is getting cool here, but your summer is just around the corner.
@Tim
Hey Tim. Thank you and you’re welcome. Glad you enjoyed it. He’s an interesting one for sure is Josh.
Yep, things are starting to heat up here! Can’t say I’m all that sad to see winter go to be honest. It cuts into my beach time! Thanks for stopping by Tim.
[...] Interviewed by Sami [...]
What a cool interview, Sami! And @Josh, can I print this out and put it on my wall?
“First, if it’s important to you, do it every day. Second: if you are in a situation you can’t control, introduce something into it that you can control. “
@Gayze
Thanks Gayze! Great to have you here. Thanks for stopping by.
PS. I’m sure Josh won’t mind if you print it out!
[...] Interviewed by Sami [...]